DURING a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go addressed issues surrounding the local fair industry, locally known as “peryas.”

The hearing, chaired by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, aimed to shed light on alleged harassment of operators and workers within the industry and discuss potential regulatory measures to shield the industry from illegal activities.

Go raised concerns on the reported presence of gambling within the perya industry. He expressed concern that, while peryas are traditionally associated with amusement and entertainment, the involvement of money and gambling aspects cannot be overlooked.

“All the while, akala ko talaga yung perya purely laro lang talaga, amusement. (Pero) mayroon palang sugal. So mayroong involved na pera. May kumikita, there is gambling,” he said.

Go raised a question about the industry’s financial flow, specifically whether local or provincial governments also benefit from the earnings, considering that these enterprises operate under government-issued permits.

Evelyn Mendoza, president of PIPA or the Perya Industry of the Philippines Association, confirmed that the industry contributes financially by acquiring permits and giving donations.

On December 5 last year, dela Rosa’s office received a letter from PIPA highlighting the challenges encountered by the perya industry, primarily focusing on the alleged relentless harassment of perya operators and workers by law enforcement units.

The letter expressed concerns about warrantless arrests of workers for supposed illegal gambling activities within the perya premises despite the operations being legitimate and licensed by local authorities.

Presidential Decree No. 1602, which prescribes penalties for illegal gambling, does not categorize typical perya games as illegal. Despite this, PIPA claims that “bagmen” are harassing the industry, demanding weekly payments to allow operations to continue, which leads to unwarranted arrests of perya workers.

There were also allegations of exploitation within the industry, particularly by local law enforcement authorities. While not necessarily implying direct involvement by the police, Go said there is a need to look into groups or individuals who might exploit the situation for personal gain.

In an appeal, Go expressed his desire to ensure the perya industry operates without exploitation or unfair practices. He, however, acknowledged the emergence of gambling within the sector, which necessitates scrutiny and, potentially, regulatory measures.

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